In Silvershade...
...
'Huh!?' Arin jumped to his feet, head whipping to the sides as he looked around him.
He could've sworn he'd woken up back at the tower, possibly after a long night of restful sleep. He'd figured he was in Rin's quarters, or in one of the rooms spiffed up by the man's illusion magic.
But, Silvershade!?
'Then... then all this is...' his head whipped back to look at the white-haired tower master. 'Then, you aren't...'
The man nodded pleasantly. 'Yes, this is all indeed an illusion, and yes, I am not, in fact, here.'
'But, then... Hadn't you said you can't - you're not allowed to use your magic -!?'
'And, in keeping with that, I didn't,' the man shrugged. 'All that you are experiencing is thanks to the new illusion tool I'd sent, along with the one that... stitched you back to life, like... Wendy's shadow, was it?'
'Ah, but since it's already been used in such a manner, and for nearly an hour at that, I'm afraid you will not be able to call upon a dragon with this one either.'
Arin stared at him. 'So you pretty much pre-packaged that tool with this illusion, to - to speak to me and... help me understand what's going on.'
The tower master's tool's limited illusion of himself could... also hold independent conversations?
Then, if the man's use of his actual talent hadn't been limited by those... rules, or whatever...
Arin was kinda starting to see why someone - presumably an enemy of the man's - had deemed it necessary to place such constraints on him.
'Fair enough. Thank you for taking the time to do that,' he said. 'But... uh... couldn't you have also added a third illusion tool in that case?'
'Tools don't grow on trees, Arin,' the man laughed. 'Believe me, I would be elated if it were possible for me to conjure up an unlimited supply for us all.'
'It seems you've been terribly influenced by Siel, who collects and discards various tools on whim. But, remember, that child has a special talent that allows him to find things. Most others cannot afford to do the same.'
Oh, right...
Arin wondered for a moment whether that had something to do with how the younger tower magician had managed to employ the cloaked healer's services.
The white-haired man was still speaking.
'In any case, since you have Tarra here, you do not require a tool with too much magic. I should mention that she is the one you owe your thanks to; for reviving and returning you to where you need to be, both.'
'Ah...' Arin nodded. 'I'll do that. Thanks.'
'Good.'
The man didn't move to follow him up. He remained seated on the simple chair. Noticing Arin looking at him, he cocked a brow. 'Well? Is there something else you'd like to ask of me?'
'Uh...' Arin took a couple steps toward the door, before pausing. 'Yeah, there is. What... what happened to Elara's body? Was she... also brought back?'
The white-haired man nodded. 'She was. However, Tarra made sure to hide her body in the woods, and only carried you back to the village in the shadows.'
'No one here knows of what has happened, including Siel, who still awaits your return. It is entirely up to you to decide how you wish to deal with this. Ah... however...'
The white-haired man's smile became somewhat playful. 'My mistake. It isn't. It is entirely up to you to decide how Rin would wish to deal with this.'
...
Right. He'd almost forgotten about that part.
Arin cleared his throat. 'I'll... I'll do my best.'
'I shall hope that covers not dying again, Arin.'
'Mm-hmm.'
'Then, goodbye for now.'